When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. OurPrivacy Noticeexplains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.

That was the strong message from Denbighshire clergyman Rev Aneurin Owen speaking at the festival yesterday after more visa problems for competitors and performers.

Leading Venezuelan trumpeter Pacho Flores, who was due to perform at Karl Jenkins Adiemus Colores on Wednesday night, was denied a visa and a last minute replacement had to be found.

And there were problems for the Mizoram Synod Choir from north eastern India, who Rev Owen has close links with, who finally got permits to come to the UK.

Eisteddfod organisers said this year had been particularly tough for competitors to secure visas.

Speaking at the Royal International Pavilion, Rev Owen said: “Why is it that soldiers of terror and perpetrators of hatred can travel from place to place without the need for visas while our attempts to create a peaceful civilisation through the eisteddfod have been thwarted by the requirements of our own bureaucracy?”

His comments were warmly applauded by a packed audience at the pavilion for the 68th eisteddfod.

Rev Owen’s sentiments echoed the same complaint already voiced publicly this week by eisteddfod chairman Gethin Davies and festival president and former hostage of terrorism Terry Waite.

Backstage later Rev Owen, from Llansannan, said: “As my parents were missionaries in the country, I was born in Mizoram in the north east of India.

“Over the years I have therefore developed close links with the Mizoram choir, which is competing for the first time at the eisteddfod.

“This year I know that they experienced more difficulty in getting visas to travel to the UK than ever before, which is something that seems to be happening more and more.

“I travelled with the festival’s musical director Eilir Owen Griffiths to Mizoram last January when he was presenting a musical master class to choir leaders there, so when he invited me to deliver the sentiment of the day, I decided to mention the visa issue.”

He added: “I certainly support the call that has already been made by the eisteddfod chairman Gethin Davies and also by Terry Waite for the visa situation to be made much easier than it is for people travelling each summer to Llangollen, because that’s what the festival is all about – getting people together from across the world to perform.”

A Home Office spokesman said: “All visa applications are considered on their individual merits and in line with the immigration rules.

“The onus is on the applicant to provide evidence to show that they meet the criteria in those rules.”

In 2009, concerns were also raised about the high cost of visas deterring competitors from coming, and a deal was struck with the Government to drop the price.

Meanwhile, the festivities continued on the Maes yesterday as the sun beamed over the eisteddfod.

Competitions included under 18s instrumental solo, songs from the shows and the urban dance crew.